Fabrice Muamba: 'The boys will be surprised to see me on Strictly'

Fabrice Muamba has told Digital Spy that he wants everyone to see a "different side" to him as he performs on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The 24-year-old former footballer will compete alongside stars including Katy Brand, JLS's JB Gill, Natasha Kaplinsky and Chelsee Healey on the show, which will be broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day.

He told us: "I want to show everyone a different side of Fabrice the footballer. This is a whole different experience to football - but it's been fun and exciting.

"The boys will be very surprised when they see me dancing on the TV on Christmas Day.

"I don't particularly get nervous about anything. I just want to remember my routine and hopefully perform to the best of my ability."

The now-retired sportsman, whose heart stopped for 78 minutes after collapsing on the football pitch, said: "We did all the medical stuff and the doctors gave me the green light, which I was very excited about."

On dancing the salsa against a host of other celebrities, he added: "I'm a very competitive person. I always up my game before I face my enemy!"